HICKORY, N.C.,None — Fake driver's licenses and Social Security cards were being sold at a Hickory complex, Channel 9's newspaper partner, the Hickory Daily Record, reported.
The three-house complex on 29th Street Court NE was raided Friday by a multi-agency force following a four-month investigation. The bust was spearheaded by the Department of Motor Vehicles with assistance from the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, Immigration Customs Enforcement and Catawba County's Special Tactics and Response Team.
The complex also had prostitutes and drugs available, according to complaints.
Five people were arrested during the raid. Officials said the suspects are in the country illegally.
"Everybody we arrested will be deported following their convictions," said District Supervisor Rena Rikard of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Department of Motor Vehicles said it learned of the criminal operation when a Hickory temp agency reported that people were using what appeared to be fake identification documents when applying for jobs.
Rikard said the document lab appears to have been supplying documents to illegal immigrants who were looking for work in the area.
Agent Jessica Walker was the lead investigator on the case and was at the complex when the warrants were served.
"It was about 6:50 Friday morning," she said. "We were told they'd come from a party at about 4:30 a.m., so they were sleeping hard. One of the men was still very intoxicated."
The suspects were arrested without incident, Rikard said. Investigators said they found materials used to make fake driver's licenses from several states including North Carolina, Texas and California. They also said they found fake Social Security Cards and Permanent Resident cards.
"They had the capability of making fake IDs from any state," Walker said.
Investigators said they didn't find any drugs in the complex but said a prostitute was in the third house.
Horacio Ramirez Caballero, 34, was charged with two felony counts of selling false driver's licenses, six felony counts of common law forgery and maintaining a place for prostitution and possession of fictitious driver's license.
Juvenal Ramirez Caballero, 32, was charged with two felony counts of common law forgery, two counts of selling false driver's licenses and maintaining a place for prostitution.
Ismael Cristino-Caballero, 25, was charged with resisting a public officer.
Edwin Sandoval, 20, was charged with two felony counts of manufacturing false driver's licenses and underage consumption of alcohol.
Oscar Caballero Cruz, 26, was charged with manufacturing false driver's licenses.
All suspects are being held on immigration detainers.
WSOC
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